Topeka

History

Time Running Out for Iconic Menninger Clock Tower In Topeka; Demolition Permit Under Review

Time may be running out for the iconic Menninger clock tower in Topeka. It's now one step closer to being torn down.At a meeting of the Topeka Landmarks…

On April 7, 1925, the Topeka Journal wrote that local KKK leader Fred Seaman sought to sway a mayoral election with his endorsement. Klan members handed out fliers announcing Seaman’s preferred candidate to voters arriving at the polls. The candidate won.

Race

A Topeka-area School District Was Named After A KKK Leader, So Some Students Want A Change

Celia Llopis-Jepsen

Fred Seaman founded Seaman High School 100 years ago. He launched the first-ever “Klan ticket” in Topeka elections, newspapers reported at the time.

Government

Meditation Room At Kansas Capitol Moved To Create Staff Space

Associated Press

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has moved a Kansas Statehouse meditation room created by Republicans as a place for prayer and reflection to a less-visible…

Energy and Environment

Hedge Fund Pushes Kansas Utility Away From Coal, Toward Wind And Solar

Brian Grimmett

TOPEKA, Kansas — Curtis Sneden remembers what impatient investors did to Topeka-based Payless Shoes. Pressure for profits now and the bankruptcy that…

Topeka officials are working with businesses to offer people from $10,000 to $15,000 to settle in the city

Economy

Topeka Wants Employers To Kick In On $15,000 Signing Bonuses For New Residents

Nomin Ujiyediin

TOPEKA, Kansas — This state capital made national headlines in December when it announced it would pay anyone up to $15,000 to move here and work for...

The Villages in Topeka has been taking in immigrant children who were separated from their parents. According to lawmakers, more than half of those kids have already been reunited with family.

Separated Immigrant Children In Kansas Are Being Reunited With Family

Madeline Fox

(This story has been updated with comments from the children's attorney.) Immigrant children taken to Kansas after being separated from their families...

The Villages can house up to 50 migrant children on its 412 acre campus in Topeka. The organization is working to place those kids with family members or sponsors quickly.

Immigration

As Topeka Shelter Works To Reunite Migrant Kids With Families, Lawmakers Want To See Inside

Madeline Fox

A Topeka shelter has been receiving children who were separated from their parents at the border for about two weeks, its executive director confirmed...

The Villages has a shelter on a nature preserve on the west outskirts of Topeka. The nonprofit organization is taking in children in the custody of the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement who were separated from their parents at the border.

Immigration

Topeka Shelter Housing Kids Separated From Parents At Border

Madeline Fox

A Topeka shelter is housing children separated from their parents at the U.S. southern border. The Villages, Inc. has a 50-year history of taking in...

Government

Topeka Bans E-Cigarettes In Public Places

Stephen Koranda

The Topeka City Council has voted to ban e-cigarettes in all public places where normal cigarettes are already banned.The council heard from supporters of…

Community

Blind Kansas Statehouse Snack Shop Owner Can’t Compete With Free Lobbyist Food

Stephen Koranda

For nearly 40 years, Don Wistuba has been running the snack bar at the Kansas Statehouse. Making cash transactions is part of the job and it doesn't seem…